His Holiness Sakya TrizinHead of the Sakyapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism

Dear Dharma friends,

It is with great pleasure that I offer to you my most sincere wishesfor a happy and prosperous New Year of the Water Dragon.

I hope that the closing year has brought you many good things. Myfamily and I have been blessed throughout the year, in particularwith the birth of my third grandchild, Jetsunma Ngawang Tsejin LhamoSakya, first child of Khondung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and H.E. DagmoKushok Sonam Palkyi.

Jetsunma joins her two cousins Dungsey Akasha Vajra Rinpoche andJetsunma Kunga Palter Sakya in the emergence of a new generation ofthe Khon family. I pray that they become worthy receptacles for thecountless Dharma treasures that are their legacy, and that they beable to benefit countless beings.

Likewise, I pray that the precious Dharma may shine brighter andbrighter as it is passed from generation to generation everywhere. Ihave been very pleased to see many parents bringing their smallchildren to teachings at our centres, and it fills me with hope thatthey too will become spiritual beings and bring light to the world.

In Tibetan culture, the Dragon symbolizes victory over ignorance, andso it is considered very auspicious. This year of the Water Dragoninvites us to remember at every moment that we are exceptionallyfortunate to have been blessed with the gift of Dharma, and that wemust ourselves become dragon-like in striving to banish the ignorancethat binds us to dissatisfaction and suffering. If we keep the Dharmaalive in this way, we will then be able to pass on its wisdom toyounger generations, so that they can in turn enrich their own livesand at the same time contribute to making the world a better place.

I wish all of you great happiness and success in your spiritualpractice, and I pray that each one of you never ceases to bask in thelight of the Triple Gem.